HC Deb 11 June 1855 vol 138 cc1783-4
SIR GEORGE GREY

said, before the House proceeded to the Orders of the Day, he wished to mention a question to which Mr. Speaker had called attention that day, relative to two Members having taken their seats during his absence, and suggesting that steps should be taken to secure the validity of the proceedings. He (Sir G. Grey) had been in private communication with Mr. Speaker and the right hon. Gen- tleman opposite (Mr. Walpole), and it had been arranged that a Bill should be submitted to the House for the purpose of removing all doubts on the subject. He understood that it was desirable that that course should be taken immediately, as until the Bill passed those Members would abstain from taking part in the proceedings of the House. He begged leave to move for leave to bring in a Bill for the purpose now, and that it be read a second time tomorrow.

MR. ELLICE

said, he could not avoid taking that opportunity of expressing a hope that the House would avail itself of the occasion to place this difficult subject on a more satisfactory footing than it was in at present. He was one of the Members of the Committee to which this subject was referred, and looking to the difficulty of providing for such an emergency as he was sorry to see take place the other day, he thought it was undeniable that no statute or Act had been passed placing the matter on a satisfactory footing. A great many of the duties of the Speaker were statutory, and others were laid down by the Orders of that House, and it was desirable that the question should be placed on a satisfactory footing. He hoped the House would take the whole subject into consideration, and make some satisfactory settlement.

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, that the right hon. Member for Midhurst (Mr. Walpole) had suggested that the Committee on the duties of the Speaker should be reappointed to consider the question, but he thought it was the general opinion that it would be desirable to appoint another Committee.

Leave given,

Bill ordered to be brought in by Sir GEORGE GREY, Viscount PALMERSTON, and Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Bill read 1o.